Apparatus for treating material in the gaseous phase



C. S. DAVIS.

APPARATUS FOR TREATING MATERIAL IN THE GASEOUS PHASE,

' APPLICATION FILED APR. 30, 19:7.

1,369,787. Patented Mar. 1, 1 21.

.5 SHEETS-SHEET I. Fig, 3.,

CRUDE OIL DIS 77L 1. A TE 5 TOP VALVE mmumnr REL IEF VA'L YE T CHIMNE Y'va HPEHEA TER 3 u 0/ 7 F EL 1- TO BURNERS OF STEAM 4 GfNERA TOR; 36

6' TEA M GENERATOR C. S. DAVIS.

APPARATUS FOR TREATING MATERIA L IN THE GASEOUS PHASE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 30| 1917.

1,369,787, Patented Mar. 1, 1921.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2- Hnnvmmm Q 7 C. S. DAVIS.

APPARATUS FOR TREATING MATERIAL IN THE GASEOUS PHASE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 30, 19w.

1,369,787. I Patented Mar. 1, 1.921;

5 SHEiTS-SHEET 3- C. S. DAVIS.

APPARATUS FOR TREITING MATERIAL IN T HE GASEOUS PHASE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 30; 1917.

Pamnted Mar. 1, 1921.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 4- 0O mu m m E MW mm H M v 7 1 A 1 0 4T 4 m 1 6 H 1 9 m 2 H 1 1 1 1. J 5 l a 31 Hm M J7 k d 0 8L7 0 9 0 9 5W4 ,1 mm. 1 9 4 3 r 7 kw mLV C. S. DAVIS.

APPARATUS FOR TREATING MATERIAL IN THE GASEOUS PHASE.

- APPLICATION FILED APR. 30, 1917.

1369,7872 A Patented Mar. 1,1921.

AIR TANK AIR PUMP REDUCWG BALANCED UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CORNELIUS SCHUYLER DAVIS, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO MILLARD C. ERNSBERGER, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK.

APPARATUS FOR TREATING MATERIAL IN THE GASEOUS PHASE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed April 30, 1917. Serial No. 165,578.

T all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CORNELIUS SCHUYLER DAVIS, a citizen of the United States, and

resident of Rochester, in the county of l\[onroe and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Treating Material in the Gaseous Phase, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates toimprovements in apparatus for treating material in the gaseons phase and for producing reaction between substances in a gaseous phase, and has for its object the rapid vaporization of the substance treated, and, when two substances are brought together, their complete intermingling in the zone of reaction, and the control, regulation and relative adjustmentof the temperature, pressure and time factors in the reaction.

More particularly this invention relates to the manufacture of gas, gasolene, benzenetoluene and other low-boiling aromatic-hydrocarbons from petroleum and other hydro carbon substances by the vapor-phase crack ing process. The novel features of the apparatus will be pointed out in the course of the specification.

It has been shown that treatment in the vapor-phase is advantageous in that it is then theoretically possible to change either pressure or temperature at will, independently of eachother. \Vith the present, invention not only are means provided for changing independently either pressure or temperature at will, but the rate of feed, and consequently the time of reaction, may also be changed while pressure and temperature are retained, and provision is made also for automatically maintaining constant the predetermined pressure, temperature and rate of feed to which the apparatus is adjusted. Inasmuch as there is onlya narow range of optimum pressures and temperatures in the case of every reaction, and any material departure therefrom results in the production of undesirable end products, it is highly im- In the urawings:-- Figure 1 shows Fig. 2 is an enlargement of the upper portion retort shown in Fig. 1, with details added;

Fig. 3 shows one of the scrapers within the reaction retort;

Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are cross-sections on the lines 4=i, 55 and 6-6, respectively, of Fig. 2; 1

Fig. 7 is a continuation of the enlargement of the longitudinal section of the reaction retort shown in Fig. 2, showing also the valve controlled passageway leading to the carbon-pot;

1 Fig. 8 is a balanced valve, in longitudinal section, employed in the system;

Fig. 9 is a fuel and ate! control valve, in longitudinal section, also used in the system;

Fig. 10 is a form of safety valve, 1n longitudinal section, employed both in the oil feed and fuel feed lines;

Fig. 15L is a fuel control valve, in longitudinal section; and r Fig. 12 shows an alternative arrangement.

The invention-will be described with ref-' erence to its operation for the manufacture of gasolene from heavy petroleum hydrocarbons whose boiling points are above-the cut for gasolene. Petroleum oils of all types are available for the manufacture of gasolene by this process and apparatus, and crude oils, distillates and residuum oils are all available.

Fig. 1 shows the complete system. The crude oil. distillate or residuum that is to be converted into gasolene is pumped into the tank 1, on the right of Fig. 1, from which it is fed into the reaction retort 2 through the pipe 3 that leaves the oil supply tank 1 near the bottom and terminates with a spray nozzle 4, located within the lower part of the reaction retort 2. The .oil supply within Patented Mar. 1, 1921".

, the complete system, partly by diagram and partly in section,

the tank is under constant uniform pressure so that a uniform rate of feed is maintained.

Inasmuch as the discharge orifice ol' the .spray nozzle l is of fixed-area the quantity of oil fed to the reaction retort 3 is determined by the eiiective pressure under which the oil is delivered to said retort.

Pressure is maintained on the oil within mission of steam to the pump .3 is shown in the supply tank 1 by means of an'air pump 5. The air is peferably compressed in a tank 6 that has direct connection'with the oil supply tank 1 through the pipe 7. and suitable means are provided for maintaining the pressure on the oil constant. For example, the valve 8 that controls the ad- Fig. 1 under control of a balanced valve 9, which is a simple diaphragm regulator that operates on the steam valve 8. the spring 10 and retort pressure through the pipe 11 tending to open said steam valve 8 against the pressure of the tank 6. through the pipe 12, so that steam is admitted to the pump from the pipe 8*.

The effective feeding pressure will be the difference between the pressure under which the oil is fed to the reaction retort 2 and the pressure maintained within said retort. The pressure within the retort 2 is maintained by controlling the discharge of the gases therefrom. The gases are discharged from the retort 2 through the outlet pipe 13 controlled by a valve 14, whence they pass through the pipe 15 to a condenser of suitable construction, not shown in the drawings. This valve 14. may. if desired. without affecting the principle of operation. be located beyond the condenser so that the gases will condense under pressure.

The reaction retort is heated by gas or oil burners in order that the temperature may be regulate'd auton 1aticall v. In the drawings oil burners are represented. and a system of regulation is shown that can be controlled by the thermostat. which is the end desired.

In the form shown the fuel oil is con,- tained within a tank 19, and is kept under constant, uniform pressure by connection through the pipe. 7 with the air tank 6. a suitable reducing valve 21 being employed to meet the requirements for a lower pressure on the fuel oil from that likely to be maintained on the oil feed tank 1. From the fuel oil tank It) the oil is carried through pipe 22 to the burners 23. A thermostat 18 of suitable construction controls a valve 17 that in turn controls the admission of compressed air from thepipe 16 through the pipe 19 for .the operation of the valve 20, which controls in turn the supply of fuel oil to the burners. The valve 20 is shown in detail in Fig. 11. pressure controlled by. the thermostat acts on a diaphragm 20" to close the valve 20 against the action of the spring 20. The cover of this valve is identified by 20.

The reaction retort is set within a. furnace of suitable construction, so designed that the reaction retort is heated throughout its length. Fig. 1 represents the burners as directing their flame into a space 29 around the lower portion of the reaction-retort. The

In this valve the air I and the brickwork 30 to a fine 31 and thence' to the stack (not shown). The reaction retort 2 is suspended within the furnace by its flange 32. It tapers from top to bottom so as to obtain a large heating surface.

lrovision'is made for spraying into the retort 2 for reaction another substance besides that, discharged into it from the nozzle 1 (which may be oil or some other substance). and this is done in such a way that the sprays are thoroughly blended and put in a state of high agitation.

In the drawings. oil is represented as being discharged into the retort .2 from the nozzle 4. and steam is represented as being discharged into the retort 2 from the second spray nozzle 33. The spray nozzle 33 is shown below the spray nozzle 4 and at some distance therefrom. Both are located within the lower portion of the reaction retort 2. so that the spray from the two nozzles mingles and is caused to spread in the form of mist and to circulate rapidly within this part of the reaction retort 2.

The lower end of the reaction retort 2 terminates in a separate extension 34 that is bolted to the reaction retort proper beneath the floor 35 of the furnace (see Fig. 7). The steam pipe 36 enters the reaction retort through this extension from a st aim generator 3T.

Provision is made for delivering to the reaction retort 2 substantially a constant uniform weight of steam at substantially uniform temperature. This is accomplished by means of the fuel and water control valves 38 and 39 shown in detail in Fig. 9. The admission of water to the steam generator 37 through the pipe 11) from a source generator 37 by the passage 46 andwhich is so arranged with reference to the generator that the float will maintain the water at the desired level'within the generator.

The steam generator is represented as heated by one or more oil burners (not shown) that are supplied with fuel oil from the tank through the pipe 47. under control of said valve 38. This fuel control valve for the burners of the steam generator is also shown in detail in Fig. 9.- The valve proper 4-? is normally held open by a coiled spring 49 which is located within the casing 50, above the float chamber 45, and which is held under tension between the piston 51 and the adjustable cap 52. .\s the steam pressure rises it moves the piston 51 upwardly and closes the valve 48. By adjusting the tension of the spring 49 any desired as the discharge orifice of the spray nozzle 33 is of fixed area the quantity of steam fed to the retort 2 is proportionate to and determined by the excess of the pressure maintained in the steam generator 37 over the pressure at the time prevailing within the reaction retort 2.

Provision is made for delivering both oil and steam to the reaction retort 2 as highly heated as conditions will allow. The oil is preheated by means of a coil 53, which is part of the oil feed line 3,-and which is located within the flue 54 through which the products of combustion pass off from the steam generator 37. It is desirable to preheat the oil as high as possible without producing a deposit within the feed pipe. In order to re ulate the reheating with this in view a amper 55 s provided whereby more or less of the hot products of combustion may be shunted through another flue 56. In adjusting the damper 55, by a chain orother suitable means not shown in the drawings, allowance must be made for heat which the oil will receive in its passage through that part of the feed pipe 3 that is located within the reaction retort.

The steam, on the other hand, should be superheated as high as the piping will permit it to be heated. To that end the steam pipe 36 is coiled at-57 within the furnace of the reaction retort.

The steam serves several useful purposes. By discharging into the oil, as the latter is sprayed from the nozzle 4, the steam is made to assist in atomizing the oil, and in spreading it. The steam also affords a means for checking the impetus of the oil and gives to it a turbulent motion which enables all of the oil particles to become heated quickly and uniformly and to become converted into vapor. Instead of the steam jet other means may be employed to arrest the impetus of the oil and turn it back. The steam also conveysheat to the oil which assists in its vaporization. Finally, the steam, if carried to a high temperature, is partly decomposed and supplies hydrogen to the hydrocarbons for their complete saturation in their new combinations. These also are some of the useful results that are accomplished by this process.

Other material besides steam (oil for example) can be heated and vaporized and automatically fed into the reaction retort 2, through one of the nozzles 4 or 33, in uniform quantities under a pressure above that prevailing within the retort, by means of the generator 37 and its control valves and preheating means. It is equally obvious that the material treated within the retort 2 may not only be discharged directly in preheated.

condition into the reaction retort 2, and dlscharged as a vapor from the generator 37 but that the reaction retort may be used in connection with a preheater, still or gas producer of any other description. All such combinations are within the scope of this invention. For example, instead of discharging the oil that is to be converted into gasolene into the reaction retort 2 directly from'the supply tank 1, with or without preheating, it is obvous that the oil can be passed from the supply tank through the still 37 and there distilled at. a temperature lower than the cracking temperature, and thence discharged into the reaction retort 2, which is malntained at the cracking temperature, through one or the other of the nozzles 4 or 33, preferably the former, with or without steam supplied through the other nozzle. As another example, the reaction retort 2 with its feeding and heating apparatus and pressure, temperature and rate of feed controls and adjustments may serve to carburet producer or water gas that is produced according to the well known process in a suitable producer and discharged from such producer, or a storage tank, under pressure through either of the nozzles 4 or 33, preferably the latter, into the reaction retort 2, there to be carbureted. Finally, both materials that are to undergo reaction within the retort 2 may be subjected either to a preliminary preheatingsuch as the oil is subjected to in the arrangement shown in the drawings, or to vaporization in the generator or still 37. I

All such rearrangements of the apparatus are Withm contemplation of this process and apparatus and within the scope of the inventions.

Furthermore, steam is not necessarily employed in cracking hydrocarbons or in treating other substances for which the apparatus may be used. The steam may, therefore, be dispensed with and the process andv apparatus are still within the scope of the inventions.

Within the reaction retort 2 is a drum 58 which serves several useful purposes. This drum is tapered from top to bottom to correspond wt of smaller diameter than the retort 2 so that between the outer surface of the drum and the inner surface of the retort 2 there is a comparatively narrow circumferential space extending from the bottom of the retort 2, where the oil is sprayed into it, to its upper end where the drum is attached to its supporting frame 59. This comparatively narrow, circumferential passageway throughout the length of the retort 2 is an important feature of the invention. It enables the 'ases' to become thoroughly and evenly heated throughout. Ordinarily the heat does notpenetrate to the center of the reaction retort sufficiently to heat the vapors or gases evenly, and sometimes those at the centhe taper of the retort 2. It is ter cannot be sufficiently heated without overheating the surfaces of the retort, and the vapors or gases in contact therewith. The tapered form of the retort and drum afford an increased capacity of the passage way between them for the vapors and gases as they rise, so that the vapors and gases tend to slow down in passing upwardly into regions where the heat is less intense than at the point where the oil is introduced into the reaction retort.

In cracking hydrocarbons more or less carbon is produced, and this is deposited on the inside of the reaction retort andinterferes with the transmission of heat through the Wall of the retort to the vaporized oil within. The drum 58 is utilized to remove this carbon from the walls of the retort by means of scrapers 60 carried by the drum which is rotated for that purpose by gearing connection with a driven shaft 61. The scrapers 6O are each attached at 62 to one arm 63 of a bell crank lever that is pivoted at 64 to an extension 65 from one of the annular rings 66 that braces the drum 58. The other arm 67 of the bell crank lever carries a weight 68 that tends to hold the scraper yieldingly against the inner surface of the retort, to which the scraper will accommodate itself, with force suflicient to enable the scraper to remove whatever carbon may adhere to the wall of the retort. The preferred form of the scraper is shown in Fig. 8. Its scraping edge is preferably formed into 'teeth constructed so that they will plough into carbon on the wall of the retort that resists removal. If steam is introduced into the retort as described above, it will affect the carbon so as to' render it more easily removed by the scrapers and will also cause it to cake in such a way that it tends to flake off from the walls of the retort without assistance from the scrapers. The scraper is braced above and below its connection with thebell crank lever by arms 70, 70 that project from the braces 66, '66, respectively. See Fig. 5. Two scrapers 60 are shown that overlap each other and which together cover the entire inner surface of the retort. These scrapers are novel features of the invention. One only may be all that'is required, and the length of the late 60 can be adapted to requirements. I hen the drum is rotated the scrapers cause the gases and vapors to circulate around the retort.

The rotary support for the drum and its gearing connection with the driven shaft 61 are shown in Figs. 2, 4 and 6. Referring to these figures it will be seen that the frame 59 is attached to a ring 71 depending from an internal gear 72 by dowel pins 73, and

that a rotary support for the drum is provided by a ring 74 attached to the under side of the cover'75' of the retort and provided with a supporting shelf 76 for roller pin 91 to the driven shaft 61 that is jour- 'naled in the boss 92 also on the cover 75.

These parts can readily be disassembled when the cover and drum are withdrawn from the retort, by removing the pins 73 and the bolts 93. I

In Fig. 6 the location shown at 94.

Another important feature of the invention is the provision that it makes for removing the carbon without discontinuing the operation of the apparatus, thus making poS- sible its continuous operations, for otherwise the carbon would accumulate, particularly in the manufacture of benzene and toluene, so as to impede the operation of the apparatus and in time would entirely choke the retort. The carbon falls down through the neck 95, which is normally open into the carbon-pot 96 from which it can be removed through the door 97. (fies Fig. 7 A gate valve 98 in the neck 95 is closed when the carbon is to be removed and before the clean-out door 97 is opened, and as a safety precaution a second gate 99 is provided which is also normally open, but closed when the door 97 is to be opened. Additional safeguards are provided in the form of a lock which prevents the door 97 from being opened unless and until the gate 98 has first been closed, and a second look that prevents in turn the gate 98 from being opened unless and until the door 97 has first been closed. 1

In Fig. 7 the gates 98 and 99 are shown closed and the door 97 locked by the bolt 100. This bolt 100 is actuated by the piston '101 under the pressure in the retort, against the coiled spring 101. This bolt 100 engages a cam 102 on the shaft of the locking lever 103. To release the cam 102 from the bolt 100 it is necessary to relieve the pressure in the carbon-pot 96. This is done by opening the valve 104 in the relief pipe which permits the gas under pressure within the carbonpot 96 to escape into the pipe 106 by which it is conducted to atmosphere at a safe dis tance from the apparatus. The pipe 106 is also connected with the recess'107within of a pyrometer is which the piston 101 is located so that any gas that may pass the piston 101 will be carried away. When the pressure above the piston 101 is released, the latter rises and the rod 100 becomes disengaged from the cam 102 .on the locking lever shaft. Simulalso closed, and still" taneously, a rod 108 that is connected with the piston and projects upwardly therefrom enters behind the gate 98 and prevents itfrom moving to open position. If the gate 98 at this time happens to be wholly or partly open, the rod 108 cannot move upwardly. The rod can rise only when the gate 98 is completely closed, as shown. Ob-

viously, therefore, the door 97 cannot be un-' locked unless and until the gate 98 is shut tight. I

A further safeguard against opening the door 97 when there is gas under pressure in the carbon pot is provided by the arrangement of the release valve 101. This valve is provided with a disk 109 and an operat-' ing handle 110. A nut 111, caused totravel with the stem 114 of the gate 98 by the collar 111, has a depending arm 112, from which a bar 113 projects horizontally. \Vhen the valve 104: is closed, as shown in Fig. 7, the disk109 lies in such a position that the bar 113 can pass over it during the opening movement of the gate 98, and as the bar 113 moves outwardly with the gate, it assumes a position directly over the disk 109, so that it prevents the valve 104 from being opened to release the gas in the carbon-pot 96. lVhen the gate 98 has been returned to the closed position, as shown in Fig. 7, the valve 10-1 can be opened by swinging the handle 110 downwardly, and

this same movement carries the disk 109 upunvaporized, it is good practice to close the gate at the lower end of the retort controlling the discharge of the deposit, and so accumulate the deposit in a region adjacent the zone of reaction where the heat is sufficient to reduce to vapor much of the vola tile matter contained therein, before discharging the remainder from the retort.

Another safety device employed .in the system is thevalve (safety stop) shown in Fig. 10, which is introduced at 110 in the oil feed pipe 3 and. also at 110 in the pressure pipe 7 leading to the fuel tank. In both cases the pressure of the retort 2 is brought to bear through the pipe 11 on the piston 117, so that with the assistance of the coiled spring 118 it keeps'the valve 116 open against the opposing prcssllrc of the feed oil in the one case a-nd the pressure of the fuel oil in the other case, through pipes 3 and 7, respectively. But should the retort 2 burst, or gas escape therefrom, or from the pipe leading to the condenser, so that the pressure falls in the retort, then immediately these valves will be closed by the pressure of the oil feed and fuel feed so that the flow of oil-to the retort and fuel to the burners will be shut off. On starting the apparatus, and while building up pressure in the retort, the oil is shunted around these valves by the by-passes 120, but as soon as the pressure in the retort 2 has built up, so that jointly with the spring 118 it overcomes the feed pressure, the valve 121 of the by-pass is closed. 7

These safety devices safeguard the apparatus against accident that might result from carelessness on the part of operators, and also in case the retort 2 gives way ander the high pressure and temperature that may be employed.

Still another important feature of the invention is found in the provision which it makes for returning the permanent gases to the cracking zone (the zone of reaction) and mixing these with the oil as it is sprayed into the retort. In the cracking process permanent gases CH H etc., are formed,

which, being lighter than the condensable hydrocarbons, pass quickly out of the sphere of reaction, resulting in a tendency to produce these gases, and, when gasolene is being manufactured, in the production of unsaturated hydrocarbons.

Surrounding the oil feed pipe 3 and nozzle 4 is a pipe 122 (Figs. 2 and 7) that is attached to the bearing 82 and has perforations 123 at its upper end. The nozzle 4 as it discharges from the lower end of this pipe 122 serves as an aspirator to suck into the pipe 122 through the holes 123 at its upper end the light permanent gases that accumulate in the top of the retort and discharge them with the oil that is sprayed from the nozzle 4. By this new process the permanent gases, including so much of the gases produced by the decomposition of the steam as fails in the first instance to combine with the hydrocarbons. are again brought into intimate relation with .the hydrocarbon particles at the moment most favorable to reaction. v

Furthermore, the combined discharge of gas and vapor from the nozzle 4 and pipe 122 operates in turn to produce an aspirator effect upon the vapors contained within the drum 58, so that those vapors that may not arrangement of these parts has been found that the hydrocarbons stratify withinv the drum 58 so that the nozzle, and the rapidity" at which the vapor is to be moved from the drum into the zone of reaction. The same is true with respect to the aspirating effect produced through the pipe 122 by the dischargefrom the nozzle 4. The bottom of the discharge pipe'13 is below the openings 123 into the pipe 122,

r so that the permanent gases are kept within tion.

. the retort.

liminary This circulation of the heavier hydrocarbons is also a feature of the inven- The vapors and gases are caused to pass out of the retort 2 without setting up a distinct current by using a perforated pipering 1O on the end of the discharge pi e 10,

the perforations bein% fireferably on t e inner side of the ring. e elevation at which the ring is established must be determined from conditions.

' It remains to describe the operation of the apparatus and the manner in which the adjustments are made for bringing about changes in the temperature, pressure and time of reaction, independently of each other. I

Before starting the apparatus, as a prerecaution, steam' may be blown through t e nozzle 4 from a steam connection b opening the .cock 126,-t-hus making sure tiat the nozzle 4 is not stopped up. Next start the air pump, open the valve 121 in the by-passaround the sto valve 116 that controls the fuel feed, for t e, valve 116 closes automatically when the operation of the apparatus ceases, open the cooks 127 that control the flow of fuel to the burners and light the burners. When the retort has become heated, open the valve 121 in the other by-pass around the stop valve 116 that controls the oil feed. The tension or pressure of the spring 14 of the relief valve 14 in the line to the condenser will close this outlet valve and enable pressure to build up in the retort.

Next adjust the thermostat to maintain the temperature desired, using the pyrometer to test the temperature within the retort. lVhen pressure has built up within the retort, it will overcome the pressure of the spring 14 of the relief valve 14 and auto matically establish a pressure for the retort below that of the oil feed tank. Finally, adjust the tension of the spring 14 by means of the nut '14" on the valve stem, till the pressure desired within the retort is obtained, and adjust the tension of the spring 10 of the balanced-valve 9, so as to ralse or lower the oil feed pressure till the rate of feed desired is obtained.

To change the temperature within the .re-

. tort at any time it is only necessary to adjust the thermostat till the pyrometer shows that the necessary change in the fuel feed hasbeen made and is being maintained. The. relief valve will accommodate itself automatically to the change in temperature as to maintainlthe same pressure as before. "A change 1n pressure is made by adjusting the tension ofthe spring 14" of the relief valve 14. When the pressure is changed the. thermostat will automatically effect such changes in the fuel feed as shall benecessaryin order to maintain the temperature .as before.

'A change in the rate at which oil is fed to the retort is effected without disturbing the temperature by adjusting the tension of the spring 10 of the balanced valve 9. B increasing the tension on this spring the e ective feeding. pressure, and accordingly the rate of feed,-is increased, and vice versa.

The same results are obtained in the independent regulation of pressure (concen tration) and rate of feed by placing the relief valve in control of the pump, in place of the balanced valve 9, and a' balanced valve in control of the discharge from the retort, in place of the relief'valve 14. Such an arrangement is shown in Fig. 12, the parts being shown in the same relative positions and, as far as possible, given the same numbers. The valve employed to control the discharge of the gases from the reaction retort 2 is shown in detail in Fig. 8. The gas enters the valve through the port 128 and leaves it through the port 129. An adjustable spring 130 acts jointl with the pressure of the gases within t e reaction retort on the piston 131 to open the double valve 132 against the'feed tank pressure admitted to the opposite side of the piston 131 through the port 133 and pipe 3.

hen pressure has built up within the retort 2 the joint action of this pressure and the spring 130 will overcome the feed pressure on the piston 131 of the balanced valve and automatically establish a ressure for the retort 2 below that of the oil feed tank, the difference being the force exerted by the spring 130 against the closing movement of the valve, and this difference of pressures. will constitute the effective feeding pressure under which the oil is fed to the retort, and accordingly, as explained, will determine the rate of feed. The balanced valve, when located in the outlet from the retort 2, as just described, will accommodate itself automatically to a change in temperature so as to maintain the pressure as before. A change in pressurein the form of balanced valve shown in Fig. Sis made by adjusting the regulator or relief valve 8 so as to raise or lower the pressure on the oil feed tank 6, which will cause the pressure within the retort to rise or fall correspondingly, assuming that the tension of the spring 130 of the. balanced valve is not disturbed, and this assumption means that the rate of feed will not be changed. A change in the rate at which oil is fed to the retort is effected in this arrangement shown in Fig. 12 without disturbing the temperature by adjusting the tension of the spring 130 of the balanced valve. By increasing the tension on this spring the effective feeding pressure, and, accordingly, the rate of feed, is increased, and vice versa. But this adjustment in tension of the spring 130 involves achange in pressure within the retort as well as a change in the rate of feed.

For example, increasing the tension of the spring 130 serves to increase the effective pressure by decreasing the pressure within the retort. Accordingly, an increase in the rate of feed is attained at the expense of pressure. Now concentration varies with the pressure, and both concentration andv rate'of feed are factors inthe speed of reaction. If, therefore, it is desired to preserve the pressure while changing the rate of feed through the regulation of the tension of the spring 130. of this form of balanced valve, that can be accomplished after the change in the rate of feed has been made, by manipulating the regulator 8- (see Fi 12) till the pressure has been brought bac to the pressure prevailing before the change in the rate of feed was made.

When the operation of the apparatus is to be discontinued, all that is required is to shut off the oil from the burners by closing the valves 127. The failure of pressure in the retort results in an automatic closing of the stop valves 116, 116 in the fuel feed and oil feed lines, respectively, and, assuming that the valves 121, 121 in the by-passes 120, 120 around these stop valves were closed when pressure developed in the retort on starting, no other valves need'be closed.

These improvements while important when severally considered are also jointly responsible for important results.- As pointed out above there is for every treatment and reaction for which the apparatus of this kind may .be employed some temperature and some pressure and some rate .of feed that is more favorable to the results desired than an others. But with most apparatus hereto ore used it is possible only to approximate roughly these optimum pressures, temperatures and rates of feed, because allowance has had to be made for nnperfect and partial heating, due in part to imperfections in the retorts and furnaces employed, and in part to carbon deposits and in part to imperfect vaporization and circulation of I center of the retort. It has also been necessary at times to run at higher or lower pressures and temperatures than desirable in order to make allowance for unavoidable fluctu- I ations. Trouble has also resulted from fluctuations in the rate of feed, on the uniformity of which both pressure and temperature are dependent. In brief, the results which laboratory experiments have shown to be at-* tainable under most} favorable conditions of pressure, temperature and rate-of feed have not been approximated in practice because of defects in the processes and apparatus in use. The processes and apparatus described herein eliminate or appreciably reduce these sources of imperfect results. Thus, the inner wall of the retort s kept free from carbon; theoil is sprayed into the retort and caused to double on itself in such away that it is completely vaporized; theturbulent. motion of the spray and the aspirator action of the s ray nozzle bring the permanent gases into t e sphere of reaction and cause the heavier gases to circulate; the heating surfaces of the retort are extensive; the

passageway through which the vapors travel 1n passing through the retort are shallow; and an automatic control is provided that makes it possible to maintain pressure, temerature and rate of feed withoutappreciwle fluctuation. I

In order that it may not be necessary to suspend operations torefill the tank 1 with v a supply of the oil that is to be subjected to the rocess, a second tank 1 is provided whic is connected with the fluid pressure by pipe 7 and with the feed pipe 3 b the pipe 3*. When the tank 1 is exhauste it is cut out and a full tank 1 is substituted,.and

vice versa. I cla1m:

' 1. In an apparatus for treating material 1 r in the gaseous phase, the combination with end below the outlet, in a downwardly direction so that as it vaporizes it turns on itself and flows upwardly to the outlet, means for heating the retort at the zone of thedischarge to the temperature necessary for the reaction desired, an air-tight receptacle located below the discharge and connected with the retort by a normally open passageway, so as to catch such part of the discharge as fails to vaporize.

2. In an apparatus for treating material in the gaseous phase. the combination'with a retort provided with an outletfor the escape of gas and vapor, of means in the lower end of the retort for discharging the material to be treated under pressure in attenuated form into the retort at its lower end below the outlet, in a downwardly direction so that as it vaporizes it turns on itself and flows upwardly to the outlet, means for heating the retort at the zone of the discharge to the temperature necessary for the reaction-desired, an air-tight receptacle located below the discharge and connected with the retort by a normally open passageway, so as to catch such part of the discharge as fails to vaporize, and provided with a closure for removing the material collected'therein, and a gate for closing the passageway connecting the receptacle with the retort.

3. In an apparatus for treating hydrocarbons in the gaseous phase, the combination with a retort provided with an outlet at one end for the escape of gas and vapor, of a drum within the retort having its outer surface spaced from the inner surface of the retort to provide a chamber about the drum and having an end arranged in such a manner that the chamber opens to the out- .let to permit gas and vapor from the chamber to pass from the outlet. means at the other end of the retort for discharging liquid hydrocarbon in attenuated form into that end of the retort so that it flows to the outlet between the drum and the retort. and means for heating the retort to maintain a flashing temperature at the end adjacent the means which supplies the hydrocarbon in attenuated form.

4. In an apparatus for treating material in the gaseous phase, the combination with a retort provided with an outlet for the escape of gas and vapor, of means in the lower end of the retort for discharging the material to be treated under pressure in attenuated form into the retort at a point below the outlet, in a downwardly direction so that as it vaporizes it turns on itself and flows upwa'rdlyto the outlet. means for heating the retort at the zone of the discharge to the temperature necessary for the reaction desired, means terminating in a nozzle in proximity to the means first mentioned for discharging spray or vapor immotion at the zone' where they flash into.

vapor.

5. In an apparatus for treating material in the gaseous phase. the combination with a retort provided with an outlet. means for introducing material into the retort under pressure in attenuated form terminating in a. nozzle. heating means for [la hing the material into vapor as it is discharged from the nozzle, a passageway leading to the nozzle from a point beyond the zone of reaction where gases escaping from the zone of reaction have collected. which constitutes in combination with the nozzle an aspirator, whereby gases that pass beyond the zo'neof reaction are drawn back thereto and mixed with the material as it vaporizes in the zone of reaction.

6.'An apparatus of the class described comprising a furnace, a retort heated thereby. having an outlet for discharge of gas and vapor, and. at its lower end. a closed receptacle for the reception of material deposited and unvaporized within the retort. having a removable closure for the removal of deposits therefrom. means for discharging material to be treated -into the retort, means for maintaining pressure within the retort during operation, means automatically operated by the pressure to lock the closure, means for closing the connection between the retort and the receptacle, and means for unlocking the closure when the connection between the retort and receptacle is closed. permitting the opening oft-he re-' ceptacle for the removal ofdeposits during operation of the apparatus.

7. An apparatus of the class described comprising a furnace, a retort heated thereby. and having at one end an outlet for the discharge of gas and vapor, a drum within the retort having its outer surface spaced from the inner surface of the retort so as to form a comparatively narrow circumferential space between the drum and the retort, and means terminating in a nozzle for discharging the material to be treated into the retort at. a point where the gas and vapor will pass between the drum and the inner wall of the retort, a passageway between the end of the drum and the nozzle, which constitutes in combination with the nozzle an aspirator, whereby the products of the within the retort, a rotary drum within the retort having its outer surface spaced from the inner surface of the retort, means for discharging the material to be treated into the retort at a point where the gas and vapor will pass between the drum and the inner wall of the retort, and scraping means carried by the drum and adapted to rei'nove deposits from the inner wall of the retort and cause them to fall into the receptacle.

9. In an apparatus for treating hydrocarbons in the gaseous phase. the com'hina tion with a retort provided with an outlet at one end for the escape of gas and vapor. of a drum within the retort having its outer surface spaced from the inner surface of the retort to provide a chamber about the drum and having an end arranged in such a manner that the chamber opens to the outlet to permit gas and vapor from the chamiber to pass from the outlet, means at the other end of the retort for discharging "liquid hydrocarbon in attenuated form into that end of the retort so that it flows to the outlet between the drum and the retort, means for heating the retort to maintain a flashing temperature at the end adjacent the means which supplies the hydrocarbon in attenuated form. and means adapted to stir the vapors and gases in theirpassage to the outlet.

10. An apparatus of the class described comprising a furnace, at retortheated thereby, an outlet passage leading from said retort at a point near its vertical center and below its top, a drum within the retort open at its top, extending upwardly to a point below the top of the retort and opening into the outlet-passage, and having its outer surface spaced from the inner surface of the retort, so as to form a. comparatively narrow circumferential space between the drum and the retort and means for discharging the material to be treated into the retort below the drum, whereby the gas and vapor are caused to pass upwardly between the drum and the inner wall of the retort.

11. An apparatus of the class described comprising a furnace, a conical retort heated thereby and increasing in diameter from bottom to top, an outlet passage leading from said retort at a point near its vertical axis and below its top, a conical drum within the retort similar in shape and arrangement, open at its top, extending upwardly to a point below the top of the retort and opening into the outlet passage, and having its outer surface spaced from the inner surface of the retortfand means for discharging the material to be treated into the retort below the drum, whereby the gas and vapor are caused to pass upwardly between the drum and the outer wall of the retort.

12. An apparatus ofthe class described comprising a furnace, a retort heated thereby, and having spaced from the top an outlet for the discharge of gas and vapor, a drum within the retort open at its upper end, extending upwardly to a point intermediate the top of the retort and the outlet, and having its outer surface spaced from the inner surface of the retort so as to form a comparatively narrow circumferential space between the drum and the retort, a passageway extending through said drum with its upper end above said outlet, and a nozzle adapted to discharge fluid under pressure downwardly in said passageway to aspirate gases above the outlet and cause them to mix with the material issuing from the nozzle.

13. An apparatus of the class described comprising a furnace. a retort heated thereby and having an outlet for the discharge of gas and vapor, a drum within the retort. open at both ends, terminating at a distance from the top and bottomof the retort, having its open lower end contracted and having its outer surface spaced from the inner surface of the retort so as to form a. comparatively narrow circumferential space between the drum and the retort, a nozzle adapted to discharge fluid under pressure downwardly through the-contracted lower end of the drum to aspirate gases and vapor from the upper part of the retort.

14. An apparatus of the class described comprising a furnace. a retort heated thereby, means for feeding the material to betreated in attenuated form into the retort under pressure, adjust-able. automatic means for maintaining uniform pressure within the retort. and means automatically controlling said feeding meansand in turn controlled by the. difference between feeding pressure and retort pressure, whereby the rate at which the material is fed into the retort is varied inversely in correspomlence with fluctuations in this pressure difference.

15. An apparatus of the; class described com -irising a furnace. a retort hea ted thereby. means for feeding the material to be treated in attenuated form into the retort under pressure. adjustable, automatic means for maintaining uniform pressure within the retortyn'ieans automatically controlling said feeding means and in turn controlled by the difference between feeding pressure and retort pressure, whereby the rate atf-which the material is fed into 'the retort is varied inversely in correspondence with fluctuations in this pressure difference, and means for adjusting the pressure difference.

16. An apparatus of the class described comprising a retort. provided with an outlet, means for heatingthe retort. means for feed ing into, the retort under pressure material to be treated in quantity adapted to be flashed into vapor. a balanced valve controlling said feeding means in which a spring and the pressure of the retort through a connection therewith end to move the valve to increase the feedi g pressure and toe feeding pressure tends to move the valve to de crease the feeding pressure, and adjustable means for regulating the outlet.

17. An apparatus of the class described comprising a retort, provided with an outlet for the escape of gas and vapor, means for heating the retort, means for feeding into the retort under pressure material to be treated in quantity adapted to be flashed into vapor, a balanced valve controlling said feeding means in which an adjustable spring and the pressure of the retort through a connection therewith tend to move the valve to increase the feeding pressure and the feeding pressure tends to move the valve to decrease the feeding pressure, and a thermostatic control of the heating means for'maintaining within the retort the temperature ofreaction.

18. An apparatus of the class described comprising a furnace, a retort heated thereby, means for feeding the material to be treated in attenuated form into the retort under pressure, adjustable, automatic means for maintaining uniform-pressure within the retort by restricting the discharge of the vapor at the outlet, and means automatically controlling said feeding means and in turn controlled by the difference between feeding pressure and retort pressure, whereby the rate at which the material is fed into the retort is varied inversely in correspondence with fluctuations in this pressure difference, and a thermostaticcontrol of the heating means.

19. An apparatus of the class described comprising a retort adapted for the treatment of material in the gaseous phase under pressure, means for supplying material thereto, a source of fuel supply under pressure, burners fed thereby, an automatic safety valve in the fuel-feed line leading to the burners that in normal operation of the apparatus is held open by the pressure prevailing within the retort through connection with the retort against the action of a spring that tends to close it, whereby, the fuel supply is out off on failure of the supply of material, and a by-pass around the safety-valve having a' hand operated valve.

20. An apparatus of the class described comprising a retort, means for heating the same to the temperature of vaporization,

means for introducing material to be treated under pressure in such quantity as to be flashed into vapor, means for maintaining pressure within the retort, a safety valve controlling the feed line in which a spring and the pressure of the retort through a connection therewith maintain the valve in open position against the pressure on the material fed to the retort while the pressure is maintained within the retort, so that on failure of pressure Within the retort the feed line is closed by the feedin pressure.

21. An apparatus 0 comprising a furnace, a retort heated thereby having an outlet passage extending downwardly therefrom a distance from its topv and terminating in a hollow, perforated chamber, and a drum within the retort terminating at its upper end above the perforated chamberof the outlet, and having its outer surface spaced from the inner surface of the retort so as to form a comparatively narrow space between the drum and the retort, and means for discharging material to be treated into the retort below'the drum whereby the gases are caused to pass upwardly between the drum and the outer wall of the retort.

' 22. An apparatus of the class described comprising a furnace, a conical retort heated thereby provided with an outlet, and tapered downwardly, a conical drum within the retort corresponding thereto in form and having its outer surface spaced from the inner surface of the retort so as to form a comparatively narrow circumferential space between the drum and the retort, and means for discharging material to be treated into the retort below the drum, whereby the gases and vapor are caused to pass upwardly between the drum and the retort to the outlet.

23. In an apparatus for treatingmaterial in the gaseous-phase, the combination with a retort provided with an outlet for the escape of'gas and vapor, of means for discharging the material to be treated under pressure in attenuated form into the retort, a valve for restricting the discharge of the vapor at the outlet, which is held part1 open by the retort pressure against a yield ing adjustable resistance when the apparatus is in use, a valve for controlling the feed pressure which is open when the apparatus is idle, and which is normally part1 closed by the feed pressure against a yiel ing adjustable resistance when the apparatus is in use.

24. An apparatus, of the class described, comprising a furnace, a retort heated thereby having an outlet for the dischargetof gas and vapor, and at its lower end, an outlet for the discharge of deposits formed within the retort, a rotary drum within the retort having its outer surface spaced from the inner surface of the retort, scraping means hinged to the drum and weighted to lie in contact with the inner surface of the retort.

25; An apparatus of the class described, comprising a furnace,-a retort heated thereby having an outlet for the discharge of gas and vapor, and at its lower end, an outlet the class described for the discharge of deposits formed within the retort, a rotary support within the retort, scraping means carried by bell-cranklevers that are hinged to the support and have weighted arms. extending within the support.

26.An apparatus of" the class described comprising a furnace, a retort heated thereby having an outlet for the discharge of'gas and vapor,'and at its lower end," a closed receptacle 'for the reception of material de-- posited and uneva'porated within the retort,

having a removable closure-for the removal of deposits, means for discharginginto the retort material to be treated, means for maintaining pressure within the retort during operation,'means for closing the con nectionbetween the retort and the receptacle, means for releasing the pressure within the receptaclewhien its connection with the retortis closed, and spring-controlled means automaticall operated by pressure .within the receptac e to lock the closure of the receptacle and adapted when released from such pressure to lock in closed position the closure in the connection between the retort and the receptacle.

27. In an apparatus of the'class described, the combination with a retort having an outlet for the discharge of vapor, of means for heating the retort, means for feeding the material to be treated into the retort under pressure in attenuated form including a dis-v charge orifice of fixed size, an automatic relief valve controlling the outlet, automatic means controlled by the pressure within the retort for maintaining that pressure uniform, and adjustable thermostatically operated means for regulating the 1 heating means with reference to the temperature prevailing within the retort.

28. In an apparatus for treating material in the gaseous-phase, the combination with a retort, of a removable cover for the retort, a

drum supported by and rotatable on said cover, said drum being spaced from the inner wall of the retort, and scrapers yieldingly mounted I on the drum to cooperate with the inner wall of the retort.

29. In an apparatus for treating material in the gaseous-phase, the combination with a retort open at its lower end for the discharge of deposits formed within the retort,

of a removable cover for the retort, a supporting shelf attached to the underside of the cover,a rotary frame for the scrapers overlying and supported by said shelf, spaced roller bearings arranged. on said shelf, and means for rotating said frame.

4 30. In an apparatus for treating material in the gaseous-phase, the combination with a retort. provided with an outlet, means for introducing material from a source of supply into one end of the retort under pressure in attenuated form, means for flashing the material into vapor as it is discharged into the retort, a compartment within the retort the retort," and also having a part adjacent the zone of reaction at said open end, and below the vapor outlet, wherein deposits formed-within the retort can collect and be subjected to vaporizing temperature, and a gate or-valve for said open end situated at such a point thatit may hold all the deposits above it under the influence of the zone of reaction for vaporization of volatile matter'in such deposits, said gate or valve being operable at'intervals to discharge'the deposits from the retort.

o. SGHUYLER DA VIS. 

